Road-cart



(No Model.)

D. N. KRATZER.

ROAD CART.

Patented Aug. 5, 1890.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DAVID N. KRATZER, OF MARION, IOWA.

ROAD-CART.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 433,572, dated August5, 1890. Application filed May 20, 1890. Serial No. 352,456. (No model.)

To all whorn it may concern:

Be it known that I, DAVID N. KRATZER, a citizen of the United States,residing at Marion, in the county of Linn and State of Iowa,

have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Road-Carts; and Ido hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in theart to which itappertains to make and use the same.

The object of my invention is to produce a comfortable and convenientroad-cart, and to render the same strong, durable, and cheap byimprovements in the construction, as hereinafter fully set forth andclaimed.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of, this specification,Figure 1 is a rear View of the body of the cart; Fig. 2, a centrallongitudinal section of the same; Fig. 3, a rear elevation of the stepand connected parts 5 Fig. 4, a transverse section of the same on theline a: 00; and Fig. 5, a front View of a portion of the thill,cross-bar, and connected parts.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

Referring to the drawings, A is the axle, on which are mounted Wheels13, To the axle is secured a pair of thills O 0, having the usualcross-bar D, preferably curved backwardly and provided with a curvedsingletree E. To this cross-bar and parallel with the thills areattached two springs F F, which extend back to and across the axle. Theattachment of these springs to the cross-bar is shown in Fig. 5. Thecross-bar is secured to the thills by clips (2, one limb of which passesthrough the horizontal arm of an angular clip I), the other arm of whichpasses up through the cross-bar and is provided with a suitable nut o.In the spring is a hole or cavity d, and on the horizontal arm of theclip is a projection 6, adapted to enter the same. By means of the nut cand a nut f on the other clip the spring is drawn tightly against thecross-bar, if desired. By interposing a nut g a little thicker than thespring the latter may be mounted loosely under the cross-bar, so as toturn slightly and oscillate when depressed. In practice a washer h, ofleather, is interposed between the spring and the crossbar. The

free rear end of the spring passes over a roller G, mounted in bearings2' i of a casting H, secured to the axle. This casting has flanges jjembracing the axle, and a terminal rib k to retain the outer side of thethill. The upper part of the casting Z forms the step, and in thestandards on m, supporting the step, are openings or a, through whichthe roller is inserted to position, these openings communicating withthe bearings i 2'. This casting is held in position by the attachment ofthe thill to the axle in the usual Way.

Secured to the upper part of the springs F F, and separated therefrom byWedges 0 0, are supplemental springs F F. These extend backwardly aboutone-half the length of the mainsprings and terminate in eyes adapted toreceive the pivots of the bail I. This bail passes under the body of thecart and engages with notches p in a well-known manner for adjustment.The efiect of this construction and arrangement of the springs and theirmountings, and alsothe addition of the supplemental springs, tends toimpart a very elastic and comfortable action to the body of the cart,while at the same time securing all the stability that may be required.

The body and seat are mounted on a frame J, formed of T -iron, andpivoted at the front end in stirrups q g, which are movably at tached tothe cross-bar. An improvement in the construction of this frame consistsin forming it of a single piece, the middle portion extending acrossunder the seat. The elfect of this is to give great strength to the bodyand prevent any tendency to twist or spring out of true position.

It will be noticed that the construction is such (the springs being setnear and parallel with the thills) as to allow for the greatest possiblewidth to the body, and making it thereby correspondingly roomy. It willalso be observed that the construction is such as to give the greatestfreedom of movement to the springs, they being nowhere rigidly attachedto the body or necessarily to the running-gear. The effect of this isnot only to impart elasticity and ease to their action, but greatly tolessen the liability of breakage, as compared with springs rigidlyconfined at points which otherwise might bend.

ICO

Besides forming a step, as hereinbefore mentioned, the upper part of thecasting H serves to protect the roller from dirt that Would otherwisefall upon it, and thus limits its liability to wear and cut in thebearings.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a road-cart, the combination of the running-gear, substantially asdescribed, a body pivotally attached to the thill cross-bar, a bailunder said body, with means for adjusting the same with respect to saidbody, springs extending from the cross-bar to and across the rear axle,and supplemental springs connecting with said former springs andpivotally with said bail, substantially as and for the purpose setforth.

2. In a road-cart, the combination, with the running-gear and body,substantially as described, of body-supporting springs attached to thethill cross-bar, and rollers attached to the axle on which the free endsof said springs "move, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

DAVID N. KRATZER.

Witnesses:

J. M. ST. J OHN, S. W. BRAINERD.

